Celtic Target Viktoria Plzen Star Cheick Souare Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Scottish champions Celtic have added Viktoria Plzen central midfielder Cheick Souare to their shortlist of potential mid-field additions.
• The Scottish club faces stiff competition from multiple European sides monitoring the 23-year-old French-born midfielder.
• A spot in Celtic’s midfield opened up following Arne Engels’ record-breaking £22 million transfer move to EFL Championship club West Ham United.
• Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has already strengthened his squad by securing German midfielder Mika Baur from SC Paderborn 07 for a reported £6.8 million fee.
• Alongside Cheick Souare, Celtic continue to monitor other potential engine-room candidates, including Hajduk Split’s Niko Sigur and Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis.

Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) August 18, 2026 — Glasgow Celtic have officially entered the transfer race to secure the signature of Viktoria Plzen central midfielder Cheick Souare, as the Scottish champions evaluate options to replace departed Belgian playmaker Arne Engels.

Following the departure of Engels to West Ham United in an English Football League Championship record-breaking £22m transfer, the Parkhead side find themselves short of depth in central midfield positions. Whilst manager Martin O’Neill has already acted in the transfer market by completing the £6.8m acquisition of German midfielder Mika Baur from 2. Bundesliga side SC Paderborn 07, the Hoops are actively pursuing further engine-room reinforcements. Among the alternative names monitored alongside Souare are Hajduk Split utility player Niko Sigur and Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis.

Credit Reuters File Photo/REUTERS

Cheick Souaré

Viktoria Plzeň central midfielder targeted by Celtic

SNS Group via Getty Images

Arne Engels

Departed to West Ham in record-breaking £22m transfer

Mika Baur

Signed for £6.8m from SC Paderborn 07

Multiple Clubs

European sides competing for Souare

Why are Celtic seeking midfield replacements this transfer window?

The primary catalyst for Celtic’s renewed activity in the transfer market is the departure of Belgian international Arne Engels. As detailed in coverage by Goal.com, West Ham United finalized a deal worth £22m to acquire the 22-year-old midfielder on a five-year contract. The transfer set a new record fee paid by an EFL Championship club, surpassing the previous record held by Ipswich Town when they signed Sindre Walle Egeli for £17.5m.

During his two-year spell at Parkhead, Engels accumulated 100 appearances across all competitions, contributing 17 goals and 22 assists while helping the club secure back-to-back domestic trophies. According to reporting from Sport Grill, West Ham Director of Player Recruitment Nils Koppen confirmed the club had tracked Engels for an extended period, stating:

“For a player who is still very young with his best years in front of him, he has very good experience and has established himself at a big club, showing consistency and confidence.”

The sale left Celtic manager Martin O’Neill with a notable gap in central midfield, prompting the Parkhead recruitment division to identify technical profiles capable of stepping into the starting lineup before upcoming European fixtures.

How does Cheick Souare fit into Celtic’s tactical recruitment plans?

Cheick Souare, a 23-year-old French-born midfielder of Guinean descent, has attracted significant interest across Europe due to his displays for Czech First League side Viktoria Plzen. Standing at 1.85m (6 ft 1 in), Souare began his youth career at French clubs FC Martigues and FC Istres before joining the academy of Olympique de Marseille in 2015.

After making his professional debut for Marseille in Ligue 1 in February 2021 during a – draw against Lens, Souare gained regular first-team experience with Czech side Vyškov. He subsequently moved on loan to Viktoria Plzen in January 2024 before making the transfer permanent in June 2024 on a three-year deal. Souare’s physical presence, technical distribution, and left-footed versatility have made him a primary candidate for European clubs seeking control in central areas.

However, Celtic are not alone in their interest. Reports indicate that several European sides are actively tracking Souare, creating a multi-club transfer contest for the former French youth international’s signature before the current window closes.

Who else have Celtic targeted to reinforce their squad?

Celtic have already taken direct measures to address their midfield options by completing the signing of German midfielder Mika Baur from 2. Bundesliga outfit SC Paderborn 07. As reported by STV Sport, Baur agreed to a four-year contract at Parkhead with an option for an additional year in a deal valued at approximately £6.8m.

Speaking to Celtic’s official media channels upon his arrival, Baur stated:

“It’s absolutely the right move. It’s a great club and I’ve heard incredible things about the fans. Celtic are the champions. I want to win something, and I think I’m in the right place for it.”

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill expressed satisfaction with the German playmaker’s arrival, noting to STV Sport:

“I am delighted that we have been able to bring Mika to Celtic. He is a player with some excellent attributes, great technical ability, he will be important in linking our play, and he has real versatility too.”

Despite Baur’s arrival, Celtic’s recruitment team remains active in evaluating further depth. According to reports published by Ground News, Celtic have also identified Hajduk Split’s utility player Niko Sigur and Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis as secondary options to ensure full structural coverage for domestic and continental campaigns.

What is the background of this particular development?

The midfield reconstruction at Celtic comes amid a broader squad restructuring phase under manager Martin O’Neill ahead of upcoming European qualifiers. Over the past two seasons, Celtic’s transfer model has relied on identifying mid-to-high potential talent from continental leagues, developing them through domestic dominance and European competition, and releasing them when market valuations peak—as demonstrated by Arne Engels’ transfer to West Ham.

Engels joined Celtic in August 2024 from German side FC Augsburg, rapidly establishing himself as a core tactical asset. His performance consistency helped Celtic secure the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup titles, subsequently drawing attention from English clubs aiming for immediate top-flight promotion.

Concurrently, Viktoria Plzen’s emergence as an effective talent platform in Central Europe has made players like Cheick Souare attractive prospects for clubs operating at Celtic’s financial scale. Souare’s progression from Marseille’s youth ranks through the Czech lower tier to European club competitions highlights the pathway Celtic’s recruitment department frequently targets for first-team squad building.

What is the prediction for how this development affects Celtic’s supporters and team dynamics?

Should Celtic successfully secure Cheick Souare alongside the signing of Mika Baur, the team’s engine room will transition towards a more physically robust and technically adaptable tactical structure. For Celtic supporters, a swift resolution in the transfer market will alleviate concerns surrounding squad depth following the high-profile departure of Arne Engels.

Integrating new signings swiftly remains crucial as Celtic prepare for high-stakes domestic league matches and European qualifiers. If Celtic win the race for Souare’s signature, it will provide Martin O’Neill with varied profile options—combining Baur’s creative link play with Souare’s physical presence and central recovery qualities—thereby sustaining the team’s competitive baseline across domestic and continental commitments. Conversely, missing out on primary targets could force the club to pivot toward alternative candidates such as Niko Sigur or Gvidas Gineitis before the transfer deadline.